Chronic Pain: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

Call a doctor about chronic pain if:

• Your pain has lasted more than 3 months without a clear reason.
• You are feeling down or blue or are not enjoying the activities or hobbies that you have enjoyed in the past. You may be experiencing depression, which is common with chronic pain.
• You are unable to sleep because of the pain.
• You had an illness or injury that healed, but the pain has not gone away.
• You have a family member or friend who appears to be suffering from chronic pain, and you would like information about treatment.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. If you are able to control occasional, mild to moderate pain with exercise, healthy eating, massage, and pain relievers—such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin—you may not need further treatment from a health professional. However, watchful waiting is not appropriate if your pain is severe or if persistent pain interferes with your life. If you delay treatment, the pain may get worse.

Who To See

If you have mild to moderate recurring pain that cannot be managed at home, you may need to consult one of the following health professionals:

• Family medicine doctor
• Internist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Doctor of osteopathy

If your chronic pain is moderate to severe and constant, or if treatment does not control the pain, your primary health professional may recommend that you see a specialist, such as one or more of the following:

• Pain management specialist
• Physiatrist
• Physical therapist
• Neurologist
• Obstetrician or gynecologist (for chronic pelvic pain)
• Anesthesiologist
• Psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed mental health counselor
• Orthopedic surgeon
• Rheumatologist
• Chiropractor

Often more than one specialist will treat your chronic pain. For example, a primary physician may manage your medicines, and a physical therapist may help you restore function through exercise or other therapies. A professional counselor may help you with coping and depression, and a complementary medicine practitioner may provide alternative therapies such as acupuncture or yoga.

If chronic pain persists and interferes with your daily life despite treatment, you may want to seek an evaluation at a pain management clinic. A pain management clinic is a setting where you receive treatment and learn to cope with chronic pain. Treatment is usually provided by a team of health professionals who work together to address all the possible causes of your chronic pain.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

Last updated:	February 22, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC